Envelope



April '24, 1934. B KAPLAN 1,956,517

ENVELOPE Filed Jan. 2, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwntoz Fig 4 5671/ Mapla/n/ o its I v (1m B. KAPLAN A ril 24, 1934.

ENVELOPE Filed Jan. 2, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I l I I l I 1 I I I I l I I Fig. 6

gwwnto'o 56w wwpl/a/n/ fii dttomwoq Patented Apr. 24, 1934 STATS "ATENT OFFICE ENVELOPE Application January 2, 1931, Serial No. 506,070

4 Claims.

This envelope is primarily for the purpose of carrying mail other than first class matter. In this envelope a feature resides in providing a flap of a peculiar nature to close the end of the envelope so that the contents cannot fall out and yet where the envelope is not sealed. The closing means has an overlapping nature so as to extend over and around the outside of the sides of the envelope rather than being tucked in or fastened with a metal connector as is sometimes used on envelopes to hold the same closed and yet to permit the contents to be inspected sufficiently to determine that it is not first class subject matter.

A feature of this envelope resides in the overlapping nature of the closing flap which does not materially increase the thickness of the envelope at the end where the closing flap is formed. In this manner my envelope overcomes an objectionable feature in that type of envelopes where metal clasps are used to hold the same closed, which envelopes if laid in the same general direction will increase the height of the pile of envelopes'on the end where the metal clasp is, to such an extent as to be very objectionable in the handling of these envelopes in the postofi'ice. In other words, the envelopes will pile up so high on the metal clasp end if they are all laid in the same general direction as to slide ofi of each other and make them hard to handle.

A further feature of advantage of my envelope which is of primary importance is that it may be handled by the postal authorities in the postofiice very much easier because the envelopes may all be piled in the same general direction with the stamp on the proper end of the envelope and thus the envelopes may be passed readily through the stamp cancelling machine so that in this manner I provide an envelope of material advantage yet having simplicity of structure so as to accomplish the desired results.

The form and construction of the closing flap for my envelope includes a band-like flap portion having end flaps projecting from the same. These end flaps are scored at the point of connection with the band-like flap and may be gummed over a portion or over the entire end flap so as to attach these flaps in closing the band flap over the end of the envelope. When the band flap is positioned to close the envelope the end flaps overlap and are adhered to the front face of the envelope or to the opposite side over which the band flap is disposed. Thus the band flap normally extends across the back of the envelope, while the end flaps which hold the band flap in closed position are sealed down on the front of the envelope.

The envelope also provides a closing band flap which is formed with end locking flaps adapted to extend over the edge of the front or on the side opposite to the band flap and inserted into a flap receiving slot. The end flaps which extend into the flap receiving slot on the front side of the envelope have a notch on one edge which provides a locking engagement to hold the flaps from coming out of the slot, thus locking the end flaps in closed position in the slot rather than sealing or pasting the same to the outside of the envelope. This locking structure holds the band flap across the back in closed position and provides a closing means for the envelope of a very practical nature and also closes the contents in the envelope without sealing the same so as to permit the envelope to be used as a fourth class or other than first class postal matter.

The features, objects, and details will be more clearly understood in the further description set forth in the specification and claims.

In the drawings forming part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my envelope as it would appear in use when the flap is closed and looking at the same from the front or address side of the envelope.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the backportion of the envelope when closed.

Figure 3 illustrates a detail of one end of the envelope looking at the face side and showing the band flap ready to be secured by the end flaps.

Figure 4 illustrates the envelope with the band flap open and showing mail matter partially within the envelope.

Figure 5 is a geometrical development of the envelope as it would appear in its died out formation.

Figure 6 is a perspective of another form of the envelope where the end flaps for holding the band flap are tucked into slots formed in the front of the envelope and held in locked position.

Figure '7 is a detail showing one end fiap before it has been inserted in the slot formed in the front of the envelope.

Figure 8 is a died out formation of the envelope of Figues 6 and '7.

The drawings illustrate the envelopeAasitwould appear in use, like in Figure 1, showing the front face or address side of the envelope, while Figure 2 illustrates the back of the envelope where the flaps are all in closed position.

The envelope A is formed by dieing out, like in Figure 5, the formation of the envelope with the portion 10 which is adapted to form the front side wall of the envelope and from which the flaps 11 and 12 project along the longitudinal sides of the portion 10. The flaps 11 and 12 form the back of the envelope A in the ordinary manner. These flaps may be over each other and are sealed longitudinally.

A short end flap 13 is provided to close one end of the envelope A, while the other end of the envelope is formed with a band flap 14 which may be of any suitable width, and formed on the ends of the band flap I provide short tab like securing flaps 15.

The flaps 15 may have a gummed spot-like portion, such as 16, illustrated in Figure 3, placed within the same so that the flaps 15 may be folded over the longitudinal edges 17 along each side of the envelope and sealed down on the front face 18 which is formed by the portion 10 of the envelope A. In securing the band flap 14 in this manner it folds over the open end 20 of the envelope A, extending in a band-like formation over the back of the envelope A, while the end flaps 15 extend over the edge 1'7 and are secured to the front. This provides a reinforced end to the envelope A but leaves the band fiap unsealed in relation to the back of the envelope and thus the contents of the envelope may be inspected by raising the band flap 14 suiiiciently to determine the nature of the contents for the postal authorities.

This envelope is thus designed to carry fourth class mail matter or other than first class mail matter and yet provides a very effective closure to prevent the contents of the envelope such as catalogues or other mail matter, such as B, from sliding out of the envelope A in the handling of the same through the postal departments.

The nature of the band flap 14 is such as to extend across the back of the envelope A and in band-like formation the flaps 15 extend over the longitudinal edges 17 of the envelope, engaging on the opposite side to the position of the band flap 14. Thus the envelope A is reinforced at the end where the flap 14 is located and the nature of the flaps 15 are such as to hold the flap 14 firmly in place to close the envelope A. When it is desired, these flaps 15 may be gummed over the entire inner area as illustrated in Figure 4, rather than being provided with a spot-like gummed portion 16, thereby providing a larger adhesive surface for the flaps 15 so as to hold the same more firmly in closed position.

The envelope A may be formed as illustrated in Figures 6 to 8, inclusive, and in this construction I provide end flap receiving slots 22 which are positioned adjacent the longitudinal edges 17 of the envelope and located at the end on which the band 14 of the envelope A is formed.

In this form of the envelope A the end flaps 14 are formed with notches 23 which are so formed as to engage in the edge 24 of the slots 22 in a manner to lock thefiaps 14 in closed position when they are inserted into the slots 22. In this form of the envelope A no gumming is necessary and the flaps 14 are adapted to be held in locked position, holding the flap 14 across the back to close the open end 20 of the envelope A.

The open end 20 of the envelope may be formed straight across like illustrated in full lines in Figure 4, or the portions 11 and 12 may be cut down along the open edge as illustrated in dotted outline along the broken line 25, if it is desired.

My envelope accomplishes a very desirable result. a metal clasp to close the same has been experienced owing to the nature of the metal clasp which increases the thickness of the band of the envelopes when these envelopes with these clasps are piled with the clasps all on the same end of the pile. With my envelope this is overcome. My envelope does not materially increase the thickness of either end of the envelope as the band flap 14 is no thicker than the closing flap 13 and the overlapping end flaps 15 do not materially increase the thickness of the envelope A.

My envelope even accomplishes better results than the plain envelopes where the flap is tucked in to hold the contents of the mail in the envelope. The band-like nature of my fiap 14 strengthens the open end of the envelope yet permits free inspection of the contents of the same and therefore has been accepted by the postal authorities to permit the mailing of less than first class mail through the mails owing to the fact that the envelope is not sealed but is closed in an effective manner.

My envelope may be more easily handled in the post-omce and through the stamp cancelling machines, will pile easily and is economical to make so as to provide a more practical mailer in the form of an envelope than any other that I am aware of.

It will be readily apparent that catalogues and other similar mail matter may be easily carried in a light-weight envelope even though the catalogues are of a heavier nature, owing to the locking of the band closing flap, over the end of the envelope A in an effective manner.

In accordance with the patent statutes I have described the principles and endeavored to set forth the best embodiment of my envelope. The illustrations are only suggestive and variations may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the purposeand intent of the invention.

I claim:

1. An envelope including a closure in the form of a band flap, end flaps formed on said band flap, said hand flap being adapted to be held in closed position by said end flaps extending over and adhering to the opposite side of said envelope to that over which said band flap lies when in closed position.

2. An envelope including front and back faces, an end band closing flap adapted to be held in position to close the open end of said envelope without sealing said band flap, ends formed on said band flap, said ends overlying said front face of said envelope and secured by adhering the same to said back face to hold said band flap in closed position.

3. An envelope closure including, an integrally formed band-like flap adapted to be folded to extend over one side of said envelope to close the open end thereof Without sealing the same, and end adhering means formed on said band flap adapted to hold said band flap in closed position.

4. An envelope closure means including, an unsealed band-like flap, and end portions extending from said band-like flap adapted to extend 1 over to the opposite side of the envelope and adhered thereto.

BEN KAPLAN.

Heretofore trouble with envelopes using 7 

